PLATTE COUNTY, Mo. — Americans are closely watching the developments in Iraq, especially veterans and their families. The cost of war hits home for the Farnan family from Platte County, who lost their only son while he served.
Specialist Colby Farnan served in the Army and died in 2005 when an improvised explosive device blew up. His family and friends think about him every day, and with Iraq in recent headlines, FOX 4 sat down with Colby’s father to hear what he thinks about what’s happening in Iraq.
“You never think about it until afterwards. How much he meant to you, how much you want to say to him.” Patrick Farnan said.
He thinks about the son he lost and remembers the day he got the news. Spc. Farnan was on out foot patrol in Taji, about 20 miles north of Baghdad.
“February 25, 2005. And our life changed forever. They came up on a tree that had been knocked over and cut up, and sure enough, an IED went off and killed Colby and two of his buddies; killed three of them and injured nine others,” Patrick remembered.
It’s been almost a decade, but time doesn’t erase the empty spot left by Colby’s death.
“I’m not going to see him married. I’m not going to see his wife. I’m going to see no grandkids from him. I don’t get to talk to him. I miss him. I miss him each and every day,” he said.
With that longing comes an awareness of what’s happening in the headlines. Farnan continued, “I’m glad we’re not going in. It was the right decision.”
He calls President Barack Obama’s stance, announced Friday morning, “a brave one.”
“I would agree, we don’t want to just send troops in just because they’re fighting again. Gosh, they’ve been fighting again like this for thousands of years,” he said.
Patrick said his son was not for the war, but did exactly what he was called to.
“For the people that are serving, if the president says that we’re going to fight, whether we agree or not, they’re in. Because their commander-in-chief says so,” he said.
Colby was a soldier who served and a son who is dearly missed. His father said Colby taught him lessons, even as a young man.
“He turned to me and he goes, ‘you know dad, people don’t know just how lucky they are to live in America.’ And I thought, ‘My god, a 22-year-old kid is teaching his dad lessons about love and life and what America is.’ I’ll never forget that,” he said.
Patrick says he’ll keep an eye on what happens in Iraq.
“He is always up there. And he’s looking out for me. And I have to make him proud of me. And I make him proud of what I do each and every day.”
